Wonthaggi - Inverloch

Wonthaggi - Inverloch lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Wonthaggi - Inverloch's population is around 29,547 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 2,755 people (10.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 26,792 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 28,865 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 1,009 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 40 persons per square kilometer. Wonthaggi - Inverloch's 10.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area (6.0%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 88.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally, is predicted over the period with the area expected to grow by 13,718 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 43.9% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Wonthaggi - Inverloch was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Wonthaggi-Inverloch averaged approximately 415 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 2077 homes were approved, with an additional 130 approved so far in FY26. This results in an average of 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling constructed during this period.

The market balance supports stable conditions, with new dwellings developed at an average expected construction cost value of $341,000. In the current financial year, $167.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Wonthaggi-Inverloch has shown elevated construction activity, with 36.0% more approvals per person over the past five years. This maintains good buyer choice and supports existing property values, although building activity has slowed in recent years compared to previous levels.

The location's new development consists predominantly of standalone homes (95.0%), preserving its low-density nature, while medium and high-density housing makes up 5.0%. With approximately 91 people per dwelling approval, the market is expanding. Future projections estimate Wonthaggi-Inverloch will add around 12,969 residents by 2041, as per the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction pace is maintaining reasonable growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as population grows.

Wonthaggi - Inverloch has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 35 projects expected to impact the region. Notable initiatives include Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan, Northern Views Estate, Summerfields Estate, and Powlett Ridge Estate. Relevant projects are detailed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Wonthaggi - Inverloch has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Wonthaggi-Inverloch has a skilled workforce with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.5%.

As of September 2025, 12,819 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.6%, 0.2% below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was 49.7%, significantly lower than Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly specialized with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Manufacturing, however, is under-represented at 5.1% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 7.7%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.5%, labour force by 4.1%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. Meanwhile, Rest of Vic. saw employment decline by 0.7% and unemployment rise marginally. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.4% over ten years for Wonthaggi-Inverloch, based on industry-specific projections applied to its employment mix.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The Wonthaggi - Inverloch SA2's median income among taxpayers was $43,526 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $55,874 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Rest of Vic., which were $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $48,819 (median) and $62,668 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Wonthaggi - Inverloch all fall between the 10th and 13th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 27.0% of the community earns within the $400 - 799 band (7,977 individuals), which differs from regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 30.3%. After housing costs, 85.8% of income remains, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

Wonthaggi - Inverloch is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Wonthaggi - Inverloch, as per the latest Census, 92.8% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 7.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wonthaggi - Inverloch stood at 49.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.1% and rented ones at 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,467, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,450. The median weekly rent was $298, slightly above Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $295. Nationally, Wonthaggi - Inverloch's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,467 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $298 versus the national figure of $375.

Wonthaggi - Inverloch features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.5% of all households, including 21.3% couples with children, 33.8% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.5%, with lone person households at 32.0% and group households making up 2.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

Wonthaggi - Inverloch shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 20.5%, significantly lower than the Victorian average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (27.9%). A total of 24.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education.

This includes 9.3% in primary, 7.1% in secondary, and 2.4% in tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis shows 134 active stops operating between Wonthaggi and Inverloch, served by a mix of buses. These stops are covered by 13 routes, offering 563 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents located an average of 416 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 80 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 4 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Wonthaggi - Inverloch is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Wonthaggi-Inverloch faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (~14,182 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.6%) and mental health issues (9.3%). A higher proportion, 60%, claim to be free from ailments than in Rest of Vic (61.6%). The area has a high senior population at 29.3% (~8,660 people). Health outcomes among seniors are challenging but better than the general population's metrics.

Wonthaggi - Inverloch is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Wonthaggi-Inverloch had a cultural diversity index below average, with 84.7% of its population born in Australia, 89.6% being citizens, and 95.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 43.6% of the population. Judaism, however, was overrepresented compared to the regional average, making up 0.1% of Wonthaggi-Inverloch's population.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.8%), Australian (28.9%), and Scottish (9.4%). Notably, Dutch (2.5%) and Italian (4.1%) populations were overrepresented compared to regional averages, while Irish representation was equal at 9.3%.

Wonthaggi - Inverloch ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Wonthaggi - Inverloch is 50, surpassing the Rest of Vic figure of 43 and the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 16.7%, higher than Rest of Vic's percentage but lower than the national figure of 9.4%. The 15-24 cohort is less prevalent at 8.9%. Post-2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group grew from 10.4% to 11.2%, while the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 11.8% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects a significant increase in the 25 to 34 age cohort, with an addition of 2,249 people (an 80% increase) from 2,821 to 5,071.